Retirement Eligibility and Criteria

Under Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) or Georgia Optional Retirement Program
(ORP)

Completed 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age, of which the last 5 years
of employment must have been continuous with the USG; or

Has completed 10 years of creditable service, and is age 60 or older; or

Has completed 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age , of which the last
5 years of employment must have been continuous with the USG.

Is deemed totally and permanently disabled as documented through the receipt of disability
benefits from SSA following 9.5 years of creditable service to the USG in a regular,
benefitted position.

Five Years Prior to Retirement

Attend events offered by UWG’s Human Resources team such as retirement seminars where
valuable information is distributed and the retirement and pre-retirement experiences
of faculty and staff are shared.

Four Years Prior to Retirement

Begin building a network or person who are also retiring or already retired.

Review your retirement plan allocations and distribution options to ensure you are
remaining on track.

Three Years Prior to Retirement

Review your insurance coverage to see what is portable and what will end at retirement.

Schedule an appointment with your benefit’s specialist to review your benefits coverage
available through UWG at retirement. Find out when you can make changes, add/delete
dependents, or make payments.

Two Years Prior to Retirement

Take time to review health care and projected costs for medications. Talk with family
members and friends.

Decide if you need to change plans during open enrollment period.

Attend any seminars related to benefits and retirement offered through Human Resources.

One Year Prior to Retirement

Locate your birth certificate, SS#, and marriage certificate (or divorce decree) and
most recent W-2 to present when you apply for Medicare and/or Social Security.